If the Election Commission cannot ensure free and fair elections, it could have at the very least prevented the process of “a potentially fraudulent polls”, said Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik.

Sharmeen S Murshid, an election analyst and the chief executive officer of election observation group Brotee, told The Daily Star that she had never seen such an atmosphere before an election in her 20-year career as an election observer.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal yesterday urged all political parties to find a solution to end the political impasse.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen today said nobody will be allowed to create barriers on the way of holding the national election, noting that the government is committed to arrange a "free and fair" election

The ruling Awami League welcomed the announcement of the election schedule and said the party would start selling nomination forms from November 17

AL and its alliance JSD welcome the announcement, while BNP and like-minded parties reject it

'The Election Commission has been discharging its duties like a puppet of the ruling Awami League government. It is doing exactly what it was instructed to do by the government,' says CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince

They called the strike protesting the hurried announcement of the polls schedule

'On behalf of the Election Commission I humbly request all political parties to find a solution avoiding conflict and violence,' he says

Claiming that Awami League is "never prepared to accept the fundamental concept of democracy, so to say, listening to and accommodating any differing opinion," Abdul Moyeen Khan, a standing committee member of BNP, opined that "the unilateral announcement of the election schedule only reconfirms their Baksal nature"

Unveiling the polls schedule, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal urged all political parties to join the election.

Chief Election Commissioner Habibul Awal is addressing the nation to announce the schedule for the 12th parliamentary election.

The EU visiting delegation today expressed hope that the next government of Bangladesh will be formed through a free and fair elections.

Intelligence surveillance has been increased across Dhaka and at its entry points to prevent subversive activities as the Election Commission is expected to announce the election schedule soon

The US position is neutral and it does not favour or support any particular political party in Bangladesh, Ambassador Peter Haas said today.

Chief Election Commissioner Habibul Awal will address the nation at 7:00pm today to announce the schedule of the 12th parliamentary election

The Election Commission has decided to invite election management bodies from 42 countries to observe the upcoming parliamentary polls.

The Election Commission is likely to announce the schedule for the 12th parliamentary polls this evening.

The BNP activists will  take to the streets once the Election Commission unveils the polls schedule, party insiders said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated her firm conviction that the people will cast votes freely in the next general election.